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Screbble



Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2179
United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
Balancing act…(propshaft)
I’ll start off with an acknowledgement that I am a buffoon.

Because I was overly excited about replacing my failing UJ’s with Gwyn Lewis’ finest HD upgrade, and despite going to great lengths to clearly mark the alignment of all components, I managed to fit one end coupling/flange (diff end) 180 degrees out. Yes I clearly managed to ignore the markings…

What a wally!

My thinking is that as the transfer box end and prop shaft are aligned, if I keep them ‘as they were’ then the only component out of balance will be that single coupling/flange at the diff end?

Question is…will I really notice if the prop shaft and one flange is going back as it was?

If the answer is ‘it’ll probably be fine’ then I will sleep.

If it is going to cause issues then I’ll better place my order for a new UJ as I can’t see how I can remove it without damaging it (or can I?)…


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Post #1064777 5th Apr 2025 6:51pm
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3536
Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
Machining tolerances for the yokes are generally very good, so should be fine.

Probably any rusting that creeped up under the balancing plates has offset the balancing much more. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #1064779 5th Apr 2025 7:28pm
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Screbble



Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2179
United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
Thanks Dinnu - it’d be good if that is the case.

Of course the proof of the pudding is in the eating…
Post #1064783 5th Apr 2025 7:54pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20749
United Kingdom 
You can always get it sent off to be balanced if you wanted, you can run in 2WD if you wanted also.

I think it’ll likely be fine.

Even if they are perfectly balanced as new, over time it goes out, even by grease alone as it doesn’t all go in every cup perfectly, it takes the path of least resistance plus you can get air pockets.

You’ll soon find out anyway. Thumbs Up WeWillWin🇬🇧🇺🇸
⛽️🛢️⚙️🧰💪
Post #1064784 5th Apr 2025 8:00pm
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Screbble



Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2179
United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
Thanks Steve. I agree. Fingers crossed 👍
Post #1064787 5th Apr 2025 8:11pm
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Screbble



Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2179
United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
custom90 wrote:
You can always get it sent off to be balanced if you wanted, you can run in 2WD if you wanted also.

I think it’ll likely be fine.

Even if they are perfectly balanced as new, over time it goes out, even by grease alone as it doesn’t all go in every cup perfectly, it takes the path of least resistance plus you can get air pockets.

You’ll soon find out anyway. Thumbs Up


Just picking up on the 2WD option - would there be any adverse impact or consequence of driving without the rear prop shaft temporarily? Obviously I know that it wouldn’t be 4WD!
Post #1064797 5th Apr 2025 11:04pm
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3536
Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
There should be no ill effect, but keep in mind that all the torque is going through one diff… so as long as you are easy on the throttle. Many stories of front diff grenading itself. Remember you need to be in center diff lock. The transfer box will sound clunkier than usual. Thats the play in the center diff lock dog clutch. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #1064804 6th Apr 2025 6:03am
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Screbble



Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2179
United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
Thumbs Up Thank you
Post #1064809 6th Apr 2025 8:04am
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Retroanaconda



Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2731
Scotland 
It will be absolutely fine, just refit it. If you have any problems you can get it balanced but 99.9% chance you won’t.
Post #1064815 6th Apr 2025 8:37am
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Screbble



Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2179
United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
Thumbs Up
Post #1064817 6th Apr 2025 8:50am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17718
United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Screbble wrote:
custom90 wrote:
You can always get it sent off to be balanced if you wanted, you can run in 2WD if you wanted also.

I think it’ll likely be fine.

Even if they are perfectly balanced as new, over time it goes out, even by grease alone as it doesn’t all go in every cup perfectly, it takes the path of least resistance plus you can get air pockets.

You’ll soon find out anyway. Thumbs Up


Just picking up on the 2WD option - would there be any adverse impact or consequence of driving without the rear prop shaft temporarily? Obviously I know that it wouldn’t be 4WD!


The handling will probably be very different, especially on bends in the wet. It's no problem, just be careful until you know how it feels.
Post #1064821 6th Apr 2025 9:41am
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Screbble



Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2179
United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
Thanks Blackwolf.
I was probably not going to use it before re-replacing the UJ, and if necessary it would have only been a short trip locally, but it’s good to know so thank you Thumbs Up

Last edited by Screbble on 6th Apr 2025 1:55pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #1064828 6th Apr 2025 10:37am
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jaygti



Member Since: 04 Nov 2012
Location: essex
Posts: 397
United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
I did the same thing.
I put the prop back on with the intention of changing it at a later date.
That was at least 4 years ago. I’ve never noticed any difference.
In fact I’m not even sure what u/j it was now.
That was with a Gwyn Lewis wide angle prop. 2002 td5 90 county hardtop
Post #1064836 6th Apr 2025 1:35pm
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Screbble



Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2179
United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
Thumbs Up Further reassurance!
Post #1064837 6th Apr 2025 1:54pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20749
United Kingdom 
I went for weeks on each axle in 2wd, no problem, just drive easy, and I did tend to avoid long trips, or anything too heavy but just going around to keep you going is fine.

Easy on the throttle really that’s all, plus, you need as stated to lock the centre diff, and keep handbrake drum bolted on. WeWillWin🇬🇧🇺🇸
⛽️🛢️⚙️🧰💪
Post #1064842 6th Apr 2025 3:12pm
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